Morobe Governor Kelly Naru is supporting the call for a complete ban on the use of plastic bags in shops.
He says plastics are a major environmental concern in PNG and is an eyesore, especially when disposed on the streets, roads and in the sea.
“Plastic bags and other plastic products should now be replaced by biodegradable alternates or be banned altogether in PNG,” he added
Naru said supermarkets and shops should allow men and women to use bilums to carry their goods.
“I call for shops and supermarkets to recognise its place in our society and allow women to carry their bilums with minimum fuss and hindrance when they are out shopping.”
Naru added he will not hesitate to come down hard on shops in Lae who continue to impose unnecessary restrictions on mothers carrying bilums while carrying out their shopping.
He said shoppers should report shops that do unnecessary searches on clients especially those that demand women to open their bilums.